1 About 100 B.C., one young Chinese man left his home with a secret mission to travel to western lands looking for new countries that could become allies with China. His mission was never completed, but his travels hold great meaning for the world's history. The West was discovered for China, and it was the beginning of the Great Silk Way.2 Many prosperous and unknown kingdoms were found, such as Farg'ona, Samarqand, Xorazm, and Buxoro.3 Those kingdoms are now parts of the country called Uzbekistan. Three major roads of the Silk Way went through its territory. Numerous caravans carried silk, china, rare metal goods, herbs, and fruit. The greatest cultural exchange and trade were established between the West and the East.